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The Brooklyn Nets seek their first back-to-back wins of the season Friday night when they entertain the Houston Rockets at Barclays Center.
The list of fans who truly believed the Brooklyn Nets would have a better record than the Houston Rockets when they met at Barclays Center on Friday night would likely be limited to the truest of true die-hards.
But that’s the situation we have. The Nets (3-5) will be looking for their first back-to-back wins this season against the reeling Rockets (1-5), who come in with a four-game losing streak.
Brooklyn has dealt with its share of injuries in the early going this season, but the rotation should get a lift Friday night.
Rookie forward Rodions Kurucs, who has missed the Nets’ last five games with a sprained left ankle, is listed as probable against Houston, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
But the Rockets are dealing with their own injury problems, most notably the strained left hamstring of reigning NBA MVP James Harden, who is doubtful for Friday, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
Harden has missed Houston’s last two games, while the team’s new starting small forward, James Ennis has been out for three with a similar injury. Ennis is probable against the Nets, per Feigen.
The problem for the Rockets goes deeper than injuries, however. Houston hasn’t been losing close games — other than a three-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 21, the Rockets have been getting worked. Their minus-10.50 scoring differential is 27th in the NBA.
By contrast, the Nets are 21st in that category at minus-3.88.
Houston was second in the NBA in scoring last season and sixth in defense. So far this season, those ranks are 26th and 20th and the Rockets come to Barclays Center off three straight double-digit losses at home.
Here are three things to watch Friday night.